Manish Arora | Life is Beautiful On Display at SCAD

Courtesy SCAD/ Purple PR

Courtesy SCAD/ Purple PR

Celebrated Indian designer Manish Arora displays his most prized pieces in a curated exhibition by the Savannah College of Art and Design + Fash Museum of Fashion and Film. Manish Arora: Life is Beautiful debuted in Atlanta on March 27th as the designer’s first exhibition, featuring more than 100 items from his numerous runway presentations, collaborations, and celebrity client commissions. Arora is heralded as one of India’s most talented artists, harnessing traditional craftsmanship with Western aestheticism through hand-embroidery, beading, and appliqué. After beginning his label in 1997, Arora became the first Indian designer to show during Paris Fashion Week. In 2011, the Paris-based designer served as the creative director at Paco Rabanne. His distinct perspective, electric palette, and spiritual exploration are directly reflected within each garment. Reserved had the pleasure of attending the breakthrough exhibit, revisiting the inimitable community at SCAD, where editor-in-chief Jules Wood had the honor of mentoring students in the fashion program. With thanks to Purple PR, Reserved sits down with Arora for an exclusive look into his exhibition and process.

How much of your personal life and tastes translate into your pieces?

Manish Arora: 99.9%— it’s an extension of my personality. What is my current obsession? Be it playing Candy Crush or watching Game of Thrones; even experimenting on LSD and making the collection of Lucid Dreams and The Fantasy. It’s all directly associated.

Is there a theme that runs through the entire body of your work?

MA: Usually, my work has three very strong words that we use: Happiness, Joy, and Celebration. It’s what we like to bring in each of the collections, so that is the common factor. 

Would you consider that a mantra of sorts for yourself?

MA: Yes. Totally.

Do you consider your work political in any sense?

MA: Yes, it is in many ways. One example is for the LGBTQ community, I did a collection. Especially, coming from India and as an Indian, I think I have a responsibility towards that cause, simply because India is still not very advanced in terms of the way they think in general. Of course, I’m not talking about everybody, but overall it’s such a large population. This accounts for a large population of LGBTQIA individuals, too, but they are not getting what they deserve, what they should already have as basic rights. That is one of the things I have and I will support as much as possible.

I was just reading that gay parties have just started to be legally allowed.

MA: If you’re in a big city, you’re ok. But in cities that are even the slightest smaller, they don’t have access to express their sexuality or to celebrate it.

The Fantasy collection was mind blowing. I felt as if I was stepping into a version of my own fantasy. I notice there is a lot of space, air, a feeling of floating, and water themes. Pastel tones are obviously a huge juxtaposition from the rest of the collection.

MA: That was the LSD one.

Oh! Woah! Ok, now I need to think about this more. So that’s what came about from opening even further.

MA: That is where there’s a crystal castle, and dolphins are jumping, balloons are flying with fish in the sky. So now you know where that’s coming from.

I could feel Aphrodite watching

MA: It makes you feel like you want to live there.

There used to be a graphics designer when I was growing up named Lisa Frank and she would do versions—

MA: I know Lisa Frank! I follow her on Instagram, with all her extra-bright colors.   

Yes! That was my total fantasy when I was little, and this speaks to me much more.

MA: That’s very commercial. 

Totally. I’m also an air sign. I have so many air signs in my chart. I could just feel the vastness of the collection.

MA: And the lightness, yes! It is very deep.

100%. Have you stepped into other areas of design besides film? Maybe even some that you’re not public with or have plans to? I can feel this creation within you.

MA: We’re not showing everything here, because— of course— we don’t have that much space, but I’ve done many projects that are not just fashion. I’ve done installations. I’ve covered a huge building with my installation. I’ve done collaborations, which are endless: from makeup with M.A.C. to Nespresso to Swatch Watches, Reebok shoes. I did collabs with Mercedes. My work can be adapted easily to different projects. I did ceramics and glass blowing, also. 

Do you have any hobbies in that area that are lesser-known that you’re really invested in?

MA: Cooking. A cookbook, also, I made!

I feel like even in the silence out there, when I’m looking, I can hear music coming from every piece. I don’t know if that’s just me….

MA: What are you on? (laughs) I want the same!

I just came out this way. Would you say music is a huge inspiration for you?

MA: Of course! I’m very attached to music. A lot of my friends are musicians, more than those who are involved in fashion. I love all kinds of music. I don’t follow one direction. One of my closest friends is a sitar player. Musicians are my friends. Music is my passion, for sure.

What are your thoughts on Los Angeles?

MA: I love. America, if I had to choose….I don’t know, I want to be more polite. The cities that I love in America are Los Angeles, San Francisco. Also, because I usually go to Burning Man. Otherwise, I only go to New York if I really have to, if I have work. I would never go there just for no reason, whereas LA I’d go any day, for sure. And I’m not just saying that because you’re from there. It’s my favorite place to go.

I love LA, it’s my favorite city. I lived in New York for a very long time. I may look like I live in New York, but I’m so LA. There’s magic around every corner, slightly hidden. There’s bits of glamour juxtaposed with craziness.

MA: Even if there’s none of that, people are so nice. They’re more concerned. New York, if you’re meeting a friend, you need to book 30 days in advance to meet a friend. LA has that vibe of easiness.

I see that in your collections. There’s an energy that feels very familiar to me of the most magical aspects about LA, so I was wondering what you’d say. People are often quite divided about what they think.

MA: No, I love it. People are quite cuckoo there. In a good way, that I love. I can relate. 

Courtesy SCAD/ Purple PR

Courtesy SCAD/ Purple PR

Interview by Ian Scott Dorey

Written by Delaney Willet